Fluent Conveyors - The leading conveyor manufacturer

Open V chevron cleated conveyor belts

Fluent supplies open V chevron cleated belts for Fluent conveyors and general replacement. The open apex drains liquid and resists carryback for wet, sticky, and compacting materials at moderate inclines.

Belt specifications

Not all options are available in every combination.

Belt carcass materials

SBR rubber (high abrasion resistant), heat resistant (HR) rubber, moderately oil resistant (MOR) rubber, super oil resistant (SOR) rubber, white FDA rubber, flame retardant (FR) rubber, neoprene, nitrile (FDA/USDA), butyl, PVC, polyurethane

Belt width

48, 60, 72, 84 inches standard; larger widths available with vertical splicing

Cleat materials

Black standard rubber, oil-resistant rubber, high-heat-resistant rubber, flame-retardant rubber, nitrile, PVC, EPDM

Cleat height range

2–8″ (50–200 mm)

Cleat pitch

6, 9, and 12 inches

Belt ply options

1-ply, 2-ply, 3-ply, 4-ply

Cross-rigid ply options

Monofilament, fiberglass, steel breaker

Cleat attachment

Hot vulcanized (integrally molded), hot vulcanized (bonded on), tack-on (field-replaceable)

Splice options

Alligator hinged, bolt plate, rivet plate, Superscrew, vulcanized (longitudinal, diagonal, finger, step), recessed

Additional features

Corrugated sidewalls, C-channel reinforcement, center support ribs, food-grade compound

Compatible conveyor types

Slider bed, trough idler, flat idler, trough slider bed

Storage

Store indoors; best if installed within 1 year of receipt

Traction and efficiency combined,
for reliable incline conveying.

About open V chevron belts

Open V is a chevron belt profile in which the cleat tips do not meet at the apex, leaving a gap down the centerline of the belt. The gap drains liquid and prevents wet or sticky material from compacting at the apex.

When to specify open V over other chevron profiles

Open V is one of several chevron cleated belt options. Profile selection depends on what the belt carries and where it tends to fail.

Closed V

Maximum carrying capacity for dry granular and aggregate

Learn More

If you're seeing carryback at the head pulley on a closed V belt running, switch to open V. If carrying capacity is the bigger problem on dry product, closed V is the right call.

Cleat height and return path clearance

Cleat height should scale with incline angle and material size. For granular and light-bulk applications, 2–3″ cleats are typically sufficient. Steep inclines and large aggregate may call for 4–8″ cleats. Taller cleats require more return path clearance and larger pulley diameters for the ply count. Confirm your conveyor's return geometry before specifying heights above 3″.

Integrally molded vs. mechanically attached cleats

Integrally molded cleats

Vulcanized into the belt carcass during manufacturing. With no mechanical joint at the base, this is the best choice for high-load, high-cycle applications, abrasive materials, and anywhere cleat detachment would cause downstream damage or process interruption. Standard for open V belts in production environments.

Integrally

Mechanically attached cleats

Bolted or bonded onto the belt after manufacturing. Worn or damaged cleats can be swapped in the field without pulling the belt. Tack-on and mechanically attached styles simplify maintenance and allow for quick field repairs on lower-intensity applications.

Mechanically

Cleat base cracking and apex separation are usually symptoms of the wrong attachment method for the application, not a belt quality issue. On open V, the open apex eliminates one common closed-V failure mode (apex compaction stress) but exposes the cleat tips to more direct material impact.

Compound selection

Choose a belt compound based on material and environmental requirements. Open V is most often specified for materials that come with moisture, so compound selection matters more than on dry-aggregate belts.

SBR (high abrasion-resistant) rubber is the standard compound for recycling, wood waste, and general-duty wet applications.

Oil-resistant compounds (MOR, SOR) are required wherever hydrocarbon contamination is present, including organic waste streams with food-residue content.

For food processing applications, white FDA rubber or nitrile (FDA/USDA) compounds are required for incidental food contact; cleat material must match the belt compound to maintain compliance.

Flame-retardant and heat-resistant compounds are available across most open V configurations.

Specify the operating environment at inquiry (temperature range, exposure to oils or chemicals, and any food contact requirements), and we'll confirm compound compatibility across the full belt construction.

Corrugated sidewalls with open V cleats

We can add corrugated sidewalls to open V belts for applications where capacity needs to scale, and the material still needs to drain. Sidewalls turn the belt cross-section into a continuous trough, enabling near-vertical conveying angles while preserving the open V's drainage advantage. For long-span incline conveyors where belt sag between support points is a concern, center support ribs are available.

Required measurements for ordering

Gather the essential measurements before ordering to ensure a precise fit and reliable performance.

Belt specs

Belt width and length, or conveyor center-to-center distance

Cleat specs

Cleat height, pitch, and pattern

Belt construction

Ply count and cover gauge, if known

Splice

Splice type preference

Operating environment

Temperature range, exposure to oils, chemicals, or food contact

Use documentation from the original belt when reordering. Worn belts stretch over time and produce undersized replacements if measured directly. Contact our engineering team if you need help selecting the right belt or determining the correct size.

Do you need a conveyor solution? Contact Fluent Conveyors

Source open V belts from the conveyor experts

Fluent designs and manufactures custom conveyors for recycling, aggregate, and bulk handling operations. When you source an open V replacement from Fluent, you work with engineers who specify and run these belts on conveyors every day.

Cleat heights, pitches, and compounds matched to the operating environment.
Integrally molded and mechanically attached constructions to suit load intensity.
Compatible with slider bed, trough idler, flat idler, and trough slider bed conveyors.
Drainage geometry and scraper compatibility verified at quote.
Custom configurations ship in 3–6 weeks.